I can sum this up simply.  Yes.  Yes it is worth it.  College as a whole equates to new life changing experiences; moving away from your parents, living on your own, meeting new and interesting people, etc.  You’re only going to have one shot at college (at least for the majority of you), and these memories will stick with you for years to come.  But why should these new experiences only reside on domestic soil?

Studying abroad for a semester is an opportunity that you’ll never have again.  Below are 3 things to consider when contemplating the idea.

1. Seeing The World – I’m a huge advocate of vacation travel in general, let alone an entire study abroad experience.  Studying abroad will allow you to stay in an area much longer than a normal vacation (anywhere from 1 month to 5 months typically).  What about classes though?  Clearly your study program will be focused around classes within a foreign country.  But what’s interesting is that sometimes these classes are taught in a different way (i.e. outside the classroom or visiting a historic area first hand).  Outside of your class hours you will have free time to what you will just like you do now in the states.  Now you may be inclined to come back to your bed and sleep the day away.  Sure, sleep is amazing and your bed is your best friend, but you have the rest of your life to sleep!  Value this extended amount of time and use it to immerse yourself completely within a new culture.  Take pictures and roam places not mentioned in the guide book!  This way you can act more like a local and less like a vacationer.
2. Where can I travel abroad to? -  Every school offers different programs based on your major and whatever relationships they have with other foreign schools.   You need to look at your major’s requirements and find out which programs will align with your degree.  I was an Engineering student, which unfortunately limited the places I could travel abroad to.  However, it still allowed me to take a Materials Science & Engineering class abroad in Milan, Italy to fulfill one of my Engineering requirements.  Most schools have an office setup just for this purpose.  At my college it was called the Center for International Studies.  It really is an invaluable resource, and will be your best friend if you’re set on travelling abroad.  Whether you need to check which programs are currently being offered or how much it will cost, information centers like these will be your one stop shop for study abroad travel.
3. How can I pay for this? -  A lot of times abroad programs cost the same as a regular semester at school.  But not all the time.  The price for an abroad program may vary and depend on a few different variables (i.e. length of trip and distance).  So don’t think that studying in Australia will cost the same amount as in Europe!  Check your school’s Center for International Studies.  They will help prepare you for your program’s costs, as well as any financial aid and scholarships that may be available.  It’s really in your best interest to do as much research as possible beforehand.  Whether you’re working a part-time job to save for your trip, or you’re taking out additional education loans, studying abroad will forever be worth it!

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